CoPilot navigation announced for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8

Today, ALK Technology, the company behind the popular CoPilot sat-nav apps for iOS and Android has announced support for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 (x86), bringing both paid and free apps to the platform in the coming weeks.

For those who don’t remember, CoPilot goes way back with Microsoft having integrated the first GPS system in a Windows laptop and even selling Pocket CoPilot for PocketPC. In other words, this sat-nav owes a lot of its legacy to Microsoft’s systems all the way up to Windows Mobile 6.5 (Flashback: Our CoPilot 8 review from 2009).

The company backed away from Windows Phone 7 though instead concentrating on iOS and Android. Part of the problem was also their complaint about managed code being difficult to work with for their system. Of course with such a complaint one would expect them to jump back in as soon as native code access was granted and sure enough, they have today.

Some screen caps of the Windows Phone 8 CoPilot

We recently spoke with David Quin, head of consumer applications for ALK Technologies, about the new Windows Phone 8 version and some other bits of information to pique your interest.

Most folks will wonder why anyone would opt for CoPilot over Nokia’s Drive+ system, which is offered for free to all Windows Phone 8 users. It’s a legitimate question, especially since price comes into effect. Quin emphasized that CoPilot is heavily focused on in-car navigation solutions and that is the primary target for this app.

By concentrating on being “clear and non-distracting” including a neat feature called Direction Screen (which only shows the maps/directions when a turn is approaching), CoPilot hope to bring a more polished and feature-complete driving experience. In short, CoPilot knows that they have to out-do and out-perform Nokia and even though they rely on the same mapping information (Navteq), CoPilot seems confident that they can bring their A-game to Windows Phone 8. Here are some of the main features of CoPilot for Windows Phone 8:

ActiveTraffic™ calculates the fastest routes and accurate arrival times based on live traffic flow information

Comprehensive local search with integrated access to Yelp, Wikipedia, and Google

Advanced trip planning with a choice of 3 routes and drag-and-drop route editing

Global map regions available to purchase and store on the device as required

Surprisingly, the company has actually seen steady increase in sales on both iOS and Android, even after the latter introduced free Google Maps Navigation to all Android users. That should tell you that the company is doing something right. While free for casual users may be totally satisfactory, there is a benefit for a paid version.

Legacy: "It's good to be back in the Microsoft fold" - CoPilot's David Quin

Co-Pilot will of course offer complete offline mapping support, allowing people to download maps directly to their device without the need for a data connection. They’re also looking to keep the app updated frequently by attempting anywhere from 6-10 patches a year (assuming the Store approval is smooth). That should keep consumers who are paying for the app content that bugs are being addressed, features are being added and maps and POIs are being updated.

Pricing for CoPilot on Windows Phone 8 will feature cost parity with both iOS and Android. For the US, CoPilot will be a modest $9.99 a year with European regions priced around $26.99 or all of Europe for $40-45 (we’re told and heard before that mapping data in Europe costs more and that’s reflected here).

The app itself is free and includes trip planning and mapping as a fully functional app (think of early Bing Maps) but users can then opt for an in-app purchase to download offline maps for the full experience.

Regarding Windows 8 RT for those of you with a Surface, the company is currently focused on Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 (x86) but it is on their roadmap (like most companies, they are constrained by priorities and development costs).

CoPilot for Windows Phone 8 is expected to be submitted to the Store in early March and assuming the approval process is successful, users can expect to have the app within a short period.

Luckily for you the company is here at Mobile World Congress and we’ll get a hands on demo of the new app later today. [Update: Our hands on demo is now live]

CoPilot navigation announced for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8

I also noticed a buch of app updates just like after L900 launch.
Hopefully, this trend continues as it stopped after few months then.

Also, I hate MWC, companies develop stuff and never freaking release it because they wait 2 - 5 more weeks for MWC... copilot is an exception here but still, I am sure if we get pandora at mwc, it was finished weeks ago

You are talking about the Nokia Maps. That is costing Nokia money but they give it to you for free cause you own a Nokia phone.
The main reasons its more expensive is all about licensing deals that have to be made with a lot more countries and the fact that the rules are often different between countries (which has to be implemented over and over again).

So glad that copilot is back, just hope like others there might be a deal for customers that were no longer supported since purchasing hd2 version... Also glad they have listened unlike devs at windows who are ignoring 27,000 comments on requesting custom sms tones :'( hope they wake up one day before losing client support

Truth be told there was an embargo on that news until this morning. We held back as we brought some screen caps and actually spoke with the company about the product, hoping to add some more merit to the story as opposed to just copying/pasting a press release ;)

Not really defensive so much as explaining our position ;) We take embargos seriously as well as bringing the latest and most detailed news to our audience. If I came across as defensive or my tone seemed harsh, my apologies as that was not my intention (I'll adjust my comment accordingly)

If we're "late" it is often because we're getting more information/details/confirmation not because we missed it.

Not sure what this app offers better/more than Navigon. Anybody got a clue about that?
One thing i could think of is that it will be a proper WP8 app. Not a port like Navigon so that it uses the new GPS Api to keep it working in the background. Navigon currently doesn't do this.

Good to see ALK coming back to Windows but I do wish I-Go would do the same !! I found it to be ideal for my needs having a really excellent filing system for storing lots of favourites locations, plus the ability to update speed cameras weekly!

Even though I have Nokia drive I am still using my old HP pda so I can run I-Go on Windows Mobile 6.5

I bought Navigon back when I had my DVP and between that and free Nokia Drive I don't need any more nav systems. And its funny they play the old native code card when Navigon was able to port their solution to WP7 and include their signature features. Guess we'll see what makes copilot so special soon enough.

This looks promising. I wonder how battery usage will be? The Lumia 920 can't keep up charging and running Nokia Drive+ at the same time.
Anyone know if speed limit is available? That looks like one thing it may not have compared to Nokia Drive+.

I think that if one does not have a WP8 Nokia device... This would be a very good Nav app to own. I had this app way back when it was always one of my favorite Nav apps. With Nokia Lumia's they offer Nokia Drive for free so no unless one doesn't like Nokia dive...